Is ectopic atrial tachycardia serious?
Background and purpose: Ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT) is an unusual and potentially risky arrhythmia that can result in left ventricular dysfunction if not properly managed. In adults, EAT is mainly caused by diseased atrial myocardium and responds poorly to antiarrhythmic drugs.
What is ectopic atrial tachycardia?
Atrial tachycardia and other ectopic atrial rhythms occur when a site outside of the sinus node, but within the atria, creates action potentials faster than the sinus node. This ectopic focus becomes the predominant pacemaker of the heart.
What is atrial tachycardia with block?
Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia with block is a cardiac arrhythmia that is usually a manifestation of digitalis toxicity in patients with serious heart disease. The arrhythmia generally ends promptly after potassium administration and withdrawal of digitalis.
How is ectopic atrial tachycardia treated?
Three options are available for treatment of patients with atrial ectopic tachycardia (AET), including medication to suppress the arrhythmia or control the ventricular response, surgery, or radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Long-term oral medication is the mainstay of therapy in patients not undergoing RF ablation.
How common is atrial ectopic tachycardia?
Although estimates of the incidence of pediatric SVTs widely vary, atrial ectopic tachycardia likely occurs with an incidence of approximately 1 case per 10,000 children.
What is the most common cause of atrial tachycardia?
Atrial tachycardia is most commonly seen in children who have heart disorders such as congenital heart disease, particularly those who’ve had heart surgery. However, infection or drug or alcohol use can trigger the condition. For some people, atrial tachycardia increases during pregnancy or exercise.
How can you tell the difference between sinus tachycardia and atrial tachycardia?
New-onset atrial flutter most often presents with 2:1 conduction. This can be mistaken for sinus tachycardia, if all flutter waves are not seen. Look for flutter waves “hiding” behind the QRS complexes.
What is ectopic atrial?
An atrial ectopic beat is a problem in the electrical system of the heart. It is an extra heartbeat caused by a signal to the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) from an abnormal electrical focus. It is also called an atrial premature beat or a premature atrial contraction.
What is treatment for atrial tachycardia?
The primary treatment during an episode of atrial tachycardia is considered to be rate control using atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocking agents (eg, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers).
What causes atrial tachycardia?
Atrial tachycardia occurs most commonly in elderly patients and those with other types of heart disease, though it occasionally appears in children, younger people and those with healthy hearts. Causes include: A “stretched” atrium resulting from high blood pressure (hypertension) or from cardiomyopathy.
What are the risks of atrial tachycardia?
However, unlike most cases of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation can be dangerous. Complications include blood clots, congestive heart failure, and other heartbeat abnormalities.